Hazelnut, or Corilys Pontica, occupies one of honorable places among the nut cultures. Due to nutritious, healing and industrial properties hazelnut becomes an irreplaceable component in the confectionery manufacture.
Many scientists agree that Eastern coast of Black sea is more applicable for nut cultivation and this place is source of its growth over the world. The Turkish name «findik» originates from Greece word «pontikos», that means «from black sea».
Hazelnut was known in Georgia from time immemorial. Historians prove that in VI century B. C. aborigines cultivated wild sorts of hazelnut in their gardens. Than, during several centuries improved brands, perfectly adapted to local conditions were obtained with help of selection. Presently some dozens of original types of nut are grown in Georgia and main of them are Shveliskura, Berdznula, Anakliury, Gulshishvela, Hachapura, Nemsa and others.
Our ancestors were perfectly informed about nutritious and healing properties of nut. They successfully applied hazelnut not only as spice for meat and vegetable meals, but also created the traditional made dishes, for example «Churchhela». It was daily favorite delicacy of people and necessary component of ancient soldiers' ration. Certainly «Churchhela» could be the prototype for modern chocolate-and-nuts products.
Hazelnut contents plenty nutrient agents, B, B2, C, E vitamins. Energy value is about 700 kkall -2-3 times more than bread.
100 g of hazelnut contain 618 mg of potassium, 354 mg of phosphorus, 287 mg of calcium, 46 mg of cyamin, 9 mg of niacin and 4,1 mg of ferrum (more than vegetables, fruit and meat). Kernel contains 12% of protein, about 16 % carbohydrate, up to 6 % of moisture 6% and up to 60% of fats. However due to low contents of carbohydrates even those who keep to strict diet can eat nuts and not put on weight.
Substances contained in hazelnut remove slags, clean organism and strengthen immune system.
Group of scientists of Portland Institute (USA) studied hazelnut extract and found out chemical substance paklitakselia, which is basis of TAXOL, world famous anticancer substance. Up to now one supposed that the only natural source for preparation of paklitokselia is bark of yew (rare breed of trees grown in the northwest part of the Pacific coast). But it appears that hazelnut contains the substance in the same quantity.
